My experience is pretty much the same as Mr. Allen's. This community applied for the CTA to intervene in 2000. The Canadian Transportation Agency agreed that there is a significant problem here. Unfortunately, our bid to resolve this came at the tail end of their jurisdiction. After their jurisdiction was removed, we simply experienced an escalation of the initial problem. When we contacted the Canadian Transportation Agency at that point, it was suggested that we apply for mediation. It was made very clear that CN's involvement was at their own discretion. CN rejected our application for mediation. At that point, without having very many other resources to turn to, we turned to the mayor of Richmond, Mayor Malcolm Brodie, who came here; along with Suzanne Bycraft, who is the head of emergency services here in Richmond; as well as the local health authority, Mr. Art Hamade, who is the assistant superintendent for.... He retired last year, but he had been very active in this regard since 1992.
They all approached CN. Mayor Malcolm Brodie wrote a very detailed letter to CN, asking for help in some form of resolution--I believe his letter was ignored for over half a year--and got back a response saying that basically nothing had changed. And that's where the matter stands at this particular point in time. The mayor has done everything he can do to help us. The health department has done everything it can do to help us. Emergency services has been involved. There is no other place to turn to at this particular point in time.